I recently interviewed for a new corporate coaching client that required me to get out of my casuals (as a work-at-home entrepreneur) and into a business suit. I realized that it wasn’t as easy as that. It had been several months since I’d worn the business professional attire in my closet. A few needed tailoring, one needed cleaning to give it that fresh look, but even then I saw that many of my professional speaking outfits or networking clothes were a bit tired. It was time to go shopping.

Fashionforrealwomen.com is one place among many online where you can shop for “women business attire.” I enjoy putting my business clothing image in the capable hands of the well-trained staff at Nordstrom’s. The woman who helped me was a former corporate recruiter who knew well the corporate client in the industry I hoped to serve, how they dress today, and what were the cuts in clothing that looked best on me and those left best on the hangers. For even more assistance, consider seeking out a personal wardrobe assistant who is part closet organizer, part image consultant and will come to your home to review your clothes with you and help you part with those you consider sacred cows, but others will not share your sentiments. If you’d really rather do your own shopping and comparing, keep a watchful eye on your closet and give yourself plenty of advance time to get what you need. 

As the shoe salesman said to me when I couldn’t find the right shoes after three stores and just two days before my interview, ”What did you wait so long for?”  Hmmm. Guess he was right.

Tags: business attire, dress for success, interview preparation, new job

This entry was posted on Monday, July 6th, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Women Managers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.